Princeton University in partnership with the newly formed Alumni Arts Alliance (a3) launches the inaugural cohort of the EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) in the Arts Circuit for thirteen student performing arts groups. Leading the effort are three Princeton Alumni leading in the arts and entertainment fields using their experience to forge a practice of advocating for equity, diversity, inclusion, and antiracism within the extracurricular student performing arts groups on campus. The EDI in the Arts Circuit began with a 4-part series this fall entitled Critical Conversations that explored the intersection of artistry and antiracism in the context of understanding systems/structures, equitable recruitment, and building trust in the arts community. The EDI in the Arts Circuit culminates with a 4-day EDI Summit featuring thought leadership, critical skills workshops, and antiracist action strategy sessions with student leadership.
The partnership of Princeton alumni working in the performing arts, undergraduate leaders of performing arts groups, and ODUS provides a new model of collaborative leadership on Princeton’s campus. As Princeton looks to transform campus life to one focusing on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, this initiative directs attention to areas where students have significant agency and independence, and utilizes alumni experience and expertise to drive change. The EDI in the Arts Circuit envisions shifting culture through activating the relationships and accountability that exists within an ecosystem (in the case of the Princeton arts community, between students, alumni, and administration).
We invite you to join us for a series of public events scheduled as part of the EDI in the Arts Circuit. Click the links below to register:
The Alumni Arts Alliance (Kelvin Dinkins, Jr. ‘09, Adam Hyndman ‘12, Ronee Penoi ‘07) discuss their work launching the inaugural student cohort of the ODUS EDI in the Arts Circuit, new models of leadership, change-making, and the impact of bringing antiracist practice to student performing arts group on campus. Shariffa Ali will moderate the conversation.
Thursday January 28th 5:30-6:30PM EST | Liberated Structures in the Performing Arts
Join Annalisa Dias (Groundwater Arts, Baltimore Center Stage), Emily Johnson (Catalyst Dance), Jeff Tang (Real Magic), and Victor Vazquez (X Casting) in a discussion on liberated structures in the performing arts. From decolonized dance practices to equitable casting processes, these industry leaders will share how, in both their artistic and institutional practice, they embrace antiracism and model equitable structures.
TBD (Spring 2021) | Antiracism in Action
Members of Princeton’s inaugural EDI in the Arts Circuit Cohort present living drafts of their antiracist aspirations for the student performing arts ethos. Join the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students as they spotlight student arts groups making substantial change in their leadership, recruitment, and curatorial processes.